Marking devices



p 18, 1956 A. J'. ALESSI, JR 2,763,206

MARKING nsvzczas Filed June 4, 1953 60 5% 62 24 10 rm! 8 246 .52 s

3 h I I I M 2s 2 za 14.4

1% A IN V EN TOR.

:W4 ATTDR/VEK United States Patent Gottscho, Inc., Hillside, N. J., acorporationof New York "Application June 4, 1953, SerialNo.-3 59,'-576 3'Claims. ("CL 101-329) The present invention relates generally to-marking devices, and is particularly-directedtoirnprovem'ents inmarking-device's wher'ein'a mai'k-ing wheel,"having marking elementssupported on the periphery "thereof, is 'rolled on' the surface toj-bemarked so that the marking elements apply inked or other impreSsionstothat surface.

An :object of the present invention is to provide a marking device ofthe described character which is simple and economical top'roduceso-thatit maybesold'at a low'price to findwide-spr'ead' use.

Another object is to provide a marking device of the described characterwhich i is 'forme'd, for the most part, from stamped metal"*parts, L and"wherein at least some of these stam'ped metal parts' are similar 'incon'figtu'ation to permituse 'of a s'ingle set df dies in stamping suchsimilar parts.

A further object is a to provide a marking device of the describedcharacter which isarranged and constructed to hold together in itsoriginal assembled condition'even after repeatedand extensive-operation.

In accordance with the present invention, "the above, andother objects,features and-advantages, "are achieved by providing amarking devicewhich includesa' stamped U-shap-ed frame formed by two parallel legs'andacrosspiece 1 connecting the 'legsat "one *end and having a 'ha'n'dl'eextending therefrom. An axle extends parallelto the frame' cr'oss-pieeean'd is mounted at its-"opposite ends in the lparallel frame legs atlocations "intermediate the ends of the latter. A marking wheel isrotatablymounte'd on the axle and includes*atushingrotatble"on theaxle,two stamped circular end 7 plates carried by the bushing and formed withoppositely facing circularirecesseswhich define annular, radiallyoutwardly directed 'shoulders,".a'nd a cylinder or core of cardboard orthe like disposed betweenthe circular endplates andseating "at its"opposite ends on the annular-shoulders of" the end plates. A pair ofbolts extend axially between the end plates to draw the latter-togetheragainst theopposite end edges'of the cylindrical core. Annularrubber'bearer rims are mounted on the cylindrical core. Annular rubber'bearer rims are mounted on the cylindrical core adjacent the endplatesand extendradially beyond the'latter to frictionally engage "thesurface to 'be-ma'rked and cause rotation of the marking wheel as theframe is moved bodily over that surface. Suitable type supporting meansis provided on the cylindrical core to"carry"type elements formarkingthe surface over which the marking "wheelis rolled, and an inkingroll is'removably and rotatably supported between the 'freeends of theparallel frame legs for rolling and ink supplying contact with the typeelements on'the marking wheel. In order to return the marking wheel toits original position after each markingoperation, a torsion spring isdis'pose'dwithinthe circular recess of one of the endplates'and has oneof its e'nds secured to atabstruck-out of'that end) plate. The other'end-ofthe torsionspring is secured to a tab struck-out of a" circularadjustmentplate which is rotatable on the axle between the spring andthe adjacent leg of the frame, and :1 lockscrew is extended'through thatadjacentleg and into a selected "one of a series of circumferentiallyspaced tapped openings in the adjustment plate. 'In order to "limit thereturn rotation of the marking wheel under the influence of the torsionspring, a stop member is disposed'within the recess of'the other "of theend plates and is mounted atits opposite ends on the axial bolts whichdraw'the'en'd plates together. An abutment is struck-out of'the frameleg adjacent that other end -plate and extendsinto the recess of thelatter into the path of travel of "the stop member for engagement withthe latter when the m'arking wheel has been returned to its original orstarting position.

In order that the present invention may be fully understood, a specificembodiment thereof is hereinafter described in detail, merely-by way'ofexample, and shown in the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof andwherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of amarking device embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. .2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, similar to.Fig. 1, butshowing the opposite side of the marking device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the markingdevice thereinillustrated and embodyingthe present invention isgenerally identified bythe reference numeral'lt). The marking device 10 includes a U-shapedframe 12 which is made up of two parallel spaced apartlegs 12a and 12band-a cross-piece 12c connecting the legs 12a and 12b-at one end. Theframe 12 is preferably-formedfrom a metal strap which is bent or stampedinto the desired configuration. A handle 14 extends from the center ofthe frame cross-piece 12c in the direction opposed to the legs-12a and12b. The handle 14 rnayinclude a bolt 14a extending through thecross-piece 12c, .and a suitably shaped outer body 14b which has anaxial boretherein, accommodating the bolt 14a,'an d formed witha-counterbore to-receivea nut 140! which secures the body 14b on thebolt 1411.

An axle forming bolt 16 extends through the frame legs 12a'and12b,:parallel to the cross-piece 12c, and at locationsintermediatethe-opposite ends of the-frame legs. A marking wheel, generallyidentified by the reference numeral 18, isrotatably mounted upon theaxle forming bolt 16 and includes a bushing 20 which is rotatable on thebolt 16 between the frame legs 12a and 12b. The opposite end-portions ofthe bushing 20 are of-slightly reduced diametertodefine radiallyextending shoulders facing away from each .other at the opposite ends ofthe bushing. The marking wheel 18 further includes two circular end.plates :22 and 24 which are stamped out'of fiat sheet metal.Thecircular-end plates 22 and-24 are of the samegeneral configuration sothat theycan be stamped out and for-med withthe same set of dies. Eachof the vendplatesl22 and 24 is formed with a central opening having anarrow-flange therearound 'to receive one of the reduced diameter endportions of the bushing 20. Thus, the circular end plate 22-.isdisposed-upon the reduced diameter portion Zita of the bushing, whilethe end plate 24 is disposed upon the reduced diameter end portion 2% atthe opposite end of the bushing 20. Further, the end plates 22 and 24are formed with circular recesses 22a and 24a, respectively, openingaxially away from each other. The circular recesses 22a and 24a areperipherally defined by axially extending portions 221) and24b whichprovide radially outwardly directed annular shoulders adjacent theperipheral margins of the respective end plates. A cylindrical core 26,formed of cardboard or the like, is disposed between the end plates 22and 24 and seats at its opposite ends upon the axially extendingportions 22b and 24b of the circular end plates. The several parts ofthe marking wheel 18 described above are held together by two axiallyextendmg bolts 28 having counter-sunk heads received in countersunkopenings in the end plate 24 and threaded end portions which extendthrough suitable openings in the end plate 22 and receive securing nuts30. Thus, the bolts 28 are effective to draw together the end plates 22and 24 against the opposite end edges of the cylindrical core 26 andagainst the radial shoulders of the bushing 20 defined at the inner endsof the reduced diameter portions 20a and 20b of the bushing 20.

Cast rubber bearing rims 32a and 32b, of circular configuration, aredisposed upon the cylindrical core 26 adjacent the end plates 22 and 24,respectively, and extend radially beyond the peripheries of the adjacentend plates. Thus, when the marking device is grasped by the handle 14and moved bodily over a surface to be marked, the bearing rims 32a and32b frictionally engage that surface and cause rolling of the markingwheel 18 along the surface to be marked. The marking wheel 18 also hasmeans on the cylindrical core 26, between the bearing rims 32a and 32b,for supporting conventional marking elements. For example, as shown inFig. 2, such supporting means may be in the form of a rubber sheet 34adhesively secured to the outer surface of the core 26 between thebearing rims and having circumferentially extending, resilient grippingelements thereon to cooperate with correspondingly shaped grippingelements on the back surface of rubber type elements 36. Since thespecific type elements and the means for supporting such type elementsupon the marking Wheel are not a part of the present invention, noattempt has been made to either describe or illustrate such means indetail herein. In any event, as the marking wheel 18 is rotated inrolling contact with a surface, the marking or type elements 36 will bebrought into marking contact with the surface.

When the marking applied to the surface is to be in the form of an inkedimpression, the marking device 10 embodying the present inventionincludes an arrangement for supplying ink to the surfaces of the typeelements 36. This ink supplying arrangement preferably includes an axle38 received at its opposite ends in open slots or notches 40 formed inthe free ends of the frame legs 12a and 12b. The axle 38 is retained inthe slots 40 by tension springs 42 which at one end are secured to tabs44 struck out of the related frame legs and at the other end areattached to cotter pins 46 secured to the related ends of the axle 38. Asleeve or bushing 48 is rotatable on the axle 38 between the frame legs12a and 12b and carries a felt, or other porous, roller 50 which isimpregnated with ink. Suitable tubular spacers 52 are provided on thebushing 48 between the ends of the inking roll 50 and the adjacent framelegs 12a and 12b to maintain the inking roll 50 in an axial positioneffecting contact with the type elements 36, while avoiding contact withthe outer surfaces of the bearing rims 32a and 32b. It is apparent thatthe springs 42, not only act to retain the axle 38 within the notches orslots 40, but also resiliently urge the inking roll 50 against theprinting surfaces of the type elements. In order that the handle 14 maybe held in a position raised from the surface to be marked withoutcausing contact of the inking roll with that'surface, the frame legs 12aand 12b are preferably bent longitudinally, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3,in parallel planes normal to the axis of rotation of the marking wheel18.

Since it is intended that the marking device 10 will apply only a singlemarking to the surface over which the marking wheel 18 is rolled, thedevice 10 includes a return mechanism for repositioning the markingwheel at its original or starting location after the wheel is lifted offa marked surface. This repositioning or return mechanism includes atorsional spring 54, for example, a coiled clock spring, which isdisposed within the recess 24a defined by the end plate 24 of themarking wheel. One end of the torsional spring 54 is secured to anaxially struck-out tab 56 extending from the end plate 24, while theother end of the torsional spring 54 is suitably secured to an axiallystruck-out tab 58 formed on a circular plate 60 which is rotatable onaxle 16 between the torsion spring 54 and the frame leg 12a. Thecircular plate 60 is adjustably held against rotation by a locking screw62 which extends through a suitable opening in the frame leg 12a and isreceived in a selected one of a series of eircumferentially spaced aparttapped holes 64 formed in the plate 60. Thus, the plate 60 can berotatably adjusted for increasing and decreasing the torsional forceexerted by the spring 54 for the purpose of returning the marking wheel18 to its original position following the marking of a surface.

In order to limit the return movement of the marking wheel 18 under theinfluence of the torsional spring 54, and thereby to establish theinitial or starting position of the marking wheel, a diametricallyextending stop member 66 is disposed within the recess 22a defined bythe end plate 22 and is formed with a central opening through which theadjacent and portion 20a of the bushing 20 loosely extends. Adjacent itsopposite ends, the stop member 66 is formed with suitable openingsthrough which the bolts 28 extend, and the bolts 28 thereby secure thestop member 66 to the marking wheel. An abutment 68 is struck out of theframe leg 12b and extends axially into the recess 22a and the path oftravel of an end portion of the stop member 66. Thus, when the markingwheel is lifted from a marked surface, the torsional spring 54 causesthe marking wheel to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotationduring marking until the stop member 66 engages the abutment 68 andthereby establishes the initial or starting position of the markingwheel. Since the stop member 66 is supported at its opposite ends by thebolts 28, the engagement of the stop member with the abutment 68 willnot produce any turning action of the stop member about either one ofthe supporting bolts 28, and therefore there will be no tendency toloosen the nuts 30.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention provides amarking device of simple and inexpensive construction, embodying aminimum number of parts for the functions to be performed, and makingfull use of stamped elements, as distinguished from machined or castparts. Further, it is apparent that the stamped end plates 22 and 24 ofthe marking wheel 18 are substantially similar and can be formed withthe same set of dies, with the counter-sunk openings and struck out tab56 of the end plate 24 being formed in a second or further stampingoperation.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been described indetail and illustrated in the drawing, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to this precise embodiment, and that variouschanges and modifications may be effected therein without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A marking device comprising a portable frame movable bodily over asurface to be marked end including a bent metal strap of U-shapedconfiguration having two parallel, spaced apart legs and a cross-piececonnecting said legs at one end of the latter, an axle extendingparallel to said cross-piece and supported in said legs intermediate theends of the latter, a marking wheel including a bushing rotatable onsaid axle, two identical, circular stamped metal end plates havingcentral openings receiving said bushing and circular recesses concentricwith the axis of the bushing and opening axially in directions facingaway from each other, said circular recesses being peripherally definedby axially extending portions of the end plates spaced radially inwardfrom the perimeters of the latter and forming annular, radially outwardfacing shoulders which are each bounded, at one side, by a radiallyoutwardly directed annular flange, a cylindrical core of relativelyrigid fibrous material between said end plates and seating, at itsopposite ends, upon said annular shoulders and against said flanges,said core having a thickness less than the radial extent of said flangesso that the latter extend radially beyond the outer surface of saidcore, and axial bolts extending through said core and end plates anddrawing the latter together against the end edges of said core,circumferential bearer rims on said core adjacent said flanges of theend plates and extending radially beyond the latter to frictionallyengage the surface to be marked and cause rolling of said wheel in onedirection in response to movement of said frame over the surface,marking means on said core between said bearer rims, an inking roll,means supporting said inking roll in said frame in rolling contact withmarking means on said core between said rims, means connected betweensaid frame and Wheel and nested Within the recess of one of said endplates to yieldably urge said wheel to rotate in the direction opposedto said one direction, and means extending into the recess of the otherof said end plates to limit the rotation of the marking wheel in saidopposed direction and thereby to establish the starting position of saidmarking wheel.

2. A marking device according to claim 1; wherein said means limitingthe rotation of the marking Wheel includes a stop member extendingdiametrically in the circular recess of said other end plate, theopposite end portions of said stop member having openings therein toreceive said axial bolts drawing the end plates together so that saidaxial bolts secure the stop member to said marking wheel, and anabutment struck from the frame leg adjacent said other end plate andextending axially into said circular recess of the latter and into thepath of travel of an end of said stop member, and wherein said meansyieldably urging said marking wheel to rotate includes a coiledtorsional spring in the circular recess of said one end plate, a firsttab struck-out of said one end plate and extending axially into therelated recess, one end of said spring being attached to said first tab,and rotatably adjustable means securing the other end of said torsionalspring relative to said frame.

3. A marking device according to claim 2; wherein said adjustable meanssecuring the other end of the torsional spring relative to the frameincludes a circular plate rotatable on said axle supporting the markingwheel between said one end plate and the adjacent one of said framelegs, said circular plate having a struck-out tab extending axially intosaid recess of said one end plate and secured to said other end of thetorsional spring, said circular plate further having a series ofcircumferentially spaced apart tapped holes therein, and a locking screwextending through said adjacent frame leg and into a selected one ofsaid tapped holes to secure said circular plate in an angularly adjustedposition relative to said frame so that said spring exerts apredetermined torsional force on said marking wheel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 52,169Holt Jan. 23, 1866 314,470 Pierce Mar. 24, 1885 321,223 Keeler June 30,1885 342,228 Rodgers May 18, 1886 391,228 Burbank Oct. 16, 18881,364,301 Paxton Jan. 4, 1921 1,404,417 Wolfe Jan. 24, 1922 1,646,576Castan Oct. 25, 1927 1,782,792 Pajeau Nov. 25, 1930 2,607,293 McKay Aug.19, 1952 2,634,676 McKay Apr. 14, 1953

